My 2nd battery was installed so I could run the stereo and lights without
worry of running down the main battery. Low cost and it has been
effective. I see the Westy as a multipurpose vehicle with a tent
attachment on top. Tent camping without the need to carry a separate one.
For many years I made fun of many RVers including my parents. After
getting my first one back in '97, I realized that the Westy has its limits
and you can get just plain silly trying to make it something it isn't.
Unfortunately I got the RV bug bad and upgraded twice to the monster I
have now. Super silly in the other extreme. But in many ways it does not
replace the Westy so the Westy stays in the family for those times I don't
need the size or the toys and want to just get some solitude camping.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Reddick
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 10:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: The power we really need!

If I ever needed more electrical power in my Westy, the first thing I
would do is revise my electrical needs downwards. The wiff might veto
that,
so I would probably opt for a 27 lbs Honda generator.  Really quiet, burns
almost nothing, doesn't add drag on the roof, and I can remove it for
daily
driving. I think it beats the heck out of any multi-battery, solar
powered,
setup.  I still might do a dual battery setup, but only if I swap the
Dometic for a Norcold, and the battery will be the absolute minimum for 16
hours of fridge use, probably half the size of what most people use.
    Any more than that, and I will be Dennis Haynes twin brother, towing
my
Westy behind the 40 footer, diesel generator cranking out enough amps to
make frozen margaritas.

   John